Winter Riding

[toadl]

Originally Posted by 2whlrcr

Sounds like a good idea. What amp fuse?

My grips came with a 5 amp fuse so I used that as close as I could to the battery.

[toadl]

Originally Posted by randyo

, experimented with the darkside instead, an experiment that was successful beyond my wildest expectations, over 25k on the unstudded General Altimax Arctic and still 40% tread and it's awesome in winter snow/sleet/freezing rain riding conditions

Using a car tire, that is the darkside, but I admire your.... um.

[playharder]

toadl,

I do not know for sure what mileage I will ultimately get from the aerostich studs (I probably average about 2k to 3k per year) and this is my fourth year with them. I would guess in the 10 to 20k mile range. The biggest problem is removing them in the spring (especially the back, which get a bit deformed). I have been experimenting with using the front studs in the rear tire and they do seem to be working well. I will probably end up just using the front studs on both wheel in the future.

Just got back from a second trip to the grocery store in today's storm (five miles or so) and all was well.

John

[playharder]

randyo,

I would love to install regular car tire studs, but I cannot locate a gun for anything close to cheap in this area as studded tires are illegal in Minnesota. I have a couple of leads to track down for older equipment (studded tires were legal in Minnesota until 1974 or so) but have not been successful.

If I am not mistaken, there is a m/c dealership out in Massachusetts someplace that sells m/c tires that they stud up themselves with car tire studs. I have been tempted.

John

[toadl]

Originally Posted by playharder

toadl,

I do not know for sure what mileage I will ultimately get from the aerostich studs (I probably average about 2k to 3k per year) and this is my fourth year with them. I would guess in the 10 to 20k mile range. The biggest problem is removing them in the spring (especially the back, which get a bit deformed). I have been experimenting with using the front studs in the rear tire and they do seem to be working well. I will probably end up just using the front studs on both wheel in the future.

Just got back from a second trip to the grocery store in today's storm (five miles or so) and all was well.

John

Wow, they seem to be holding up well (ya, that was meant to have a double meaning).

[2whlrcr]

Ready...

[cobrags]

Hey 2whl, sweet ride! What are those hand guard/wind deflectors?

[2whlrcr]

Moose brand that are available through the Parts Unlimited catalog. About $25. My bike also has heated grips, so with both, my hands never get cold with summer weight MX gloves on.

[cobrags]

Thanks!!
I have been riding my 1150gs in 20 degree temps with Wunderlich's bar mitts but need some for my XR 650l. I'm getting the Snowbike Explorer kit for the XR and need some wind deflection. I figure handle bar mitts may act like shovels if I go down in drifts.

[toadl]

Originally Posted by 2whlrcr

Moose brand that are available through the Parts Unlimited catalog. About $25. My bike also has heated grips, so with both, my hands never get cold with summer weight MX gloves on.

$25 seems like a good price.
I drained the gas out of the tank and carb yesterday and hooked up the battery to the Tender on the DRZ . There is just to much salt on the streets, the cold and snow/ice on the sidestreets don't bother me, but spraying my bike with WD-40 and washing it down all the time is a lot of work. It's not a Harley. Besides, I'm heading south for a couple weeks. Maybe the streets will be better when I come home.

I don't know how corrosive the salt is to Aluminum parts, if anyone has any feedback.

[propforward]

Originally Posted by toadl

I don't know how corrosive the salt is to Aluminum parts, if anyone has any feedback.

Plenty corrosive. Not only that, it can set up some nasty interactions between the aluminum and steel parts, causing bolts, fasteners and slidey parts to seize if you don't keep on top of it.

Careful and thorough cleaning is essential if you are going to ride on the salty roads AND keep your machine in good fettle. That is why most of my bikes never go out in the salt - it's just too damned much work to keep them good, as you said.

Also, aluminum parts that have a lacquered finish look utterly shyt very quickly if the salt penetrates the lacquer finish, even in a pinhole.

Just something to be aware of - but enjoy yer winter riding. If there's a nice enough day here and there I might take my KLR six fiddy out, but that's about it.

[2whlrcr]

Thursday is going to be epic riding!!!

[Dan888]

Originally Posted by 2whlrcr

Ready...

Nice pic, 2whls
i think that is about the perfect bike .

[2whlrcr]

Nothing's purrrfect, but I think KTM is getting close. If they could just drop another 20lbs.

[Skinner]

Originally Posted by 2whlrcr

Nothing's purrrfect, but I think KTM is getting close. If they could just drop another 20lbs.

I think I need to drop 25 lbs and then just call it even!